National Football Post Tavern Talk

Good stuff, Mike.

Next Titan defensive coordinator: Dave McGinnis or Chuck Cecil?

Any word on the Pack's DC search? I'll be pretty angry if MM settles for Haslett.

I hear Mike Florio and Pro Football Talk called you guys out today, and as someone who enjoys both sites (many people do), I know I'd like a professional response because a) this is a fantastic site, b) he made some stupid claims, and c) he made some good ones, too.

Great site. Good work. Great on the BS report.

Thanks, Mike. I'm really excited about the Schwartz hiring. Very interesting fact about his class ranking at Georgetown!

The fifth thing you know, in ideal terms management is supposed to aim for that kind of sample in any employment group. Just enough extra competition and motivation to stir the pot.

I, too, would like to hear a response to Florio's claims. This a site I respect much more than ESPN or, especially, PFT. I know that they're essentially an NFL gossip rag, but I think pulling the Bradford story was an error in judgement.

I figure your sources were right until Bradford lost and said, "Screw this, I'm coming back next year", and I know Florio's always had it in (out?) for you, but I don't think this is something that can or should be swept under the rug.

Re: Chiefs HC job

Any validity to claims Paul Pasqualoni might be a candidate? As an SU alum who suffered through his tenure for my entire college career, I'd be shocked & puzzled by this hire.

Re: Packer DC Search

Aaron: I am curious as to why you would be disappointed if MM hired Haslett. He is a proven DC and loves to put pressure on the QB and blitz. This is something the Pack has been missing since (bless his sole) Uncle Fritz. Jim Haslett would be an EXCELLENT choice for DC. I like him better then Greg Williams and Mike Nolan! GO PACK!!!!

anyone know anything on the packers D.C. position? Haslett was fired so does that mean he will end up getting hired by the packers or are they looking at someone else?

Five Things I know/think;

1. I know that the Ravens would be foolish to let Hue Jackson go if he is still under contract. They don't have too for anything less than a head coach position.

2. I think the "Belichick Way" adulation is a little creepy, as if only he knows how to build a competitive NFL franchise.

3. I think that you make a damn good point correlating a team performance with the number of starters who will be eligible for free agency.

4. I know that I would rather see hard data on that issue as opposed to mere assertion that the Cards are playing well b/c they have five pending free agents starters. How many do the Browns have? What about the Raiders? Do some research.

5. I know that it was a bad idea to delete the Bradford story from the website and pretend that it never happened, and Florio has a point about accepting responsibility and being accountable for mistakes. Aren't doing those things central to your "management philosophies" that you are always regaling us with?

Scot,

I think the hard data for that would be really complicated, and seems more like a project for Football Outsiders in Football Prospectus because it wouldn't even be close to as simple as "well the Browns have 6 and they suck, so Lombardi is wrong." TheRaiders could have more than the Cards, but their QB, coach, and overall helplessness of the franchise would not mean those future FA's play better, or if they do their better play helps the team at all without cohesive coaching. You would have to consider 1) who is the coach? 2) Who is the QB? 3) who are the core players who make the team go? 4) What direction is the team going overall? Atre they on the edge? You would also have to inspect what are the average statistics and expected production for this guy? How old/young is he? Has he had a contract year before? If so, how high above did he play above his average that year? If he is young, is it a break out year or contract year, or a little of both? So even if the basic research proved Lombardi "wrong", it couldn't be proven to not be right for the Cardinals in the sense that they were a team on the verge, then these five guys, eying their contract year, just kicked it into gear, giving theme five play makers they didn't expect or have for the first 14 or more weeks of the season. I think hard data would be very deceptive here, and would require intense statistical analysis to prove anything.